Persistence Pays Off for OFTC Nursing Grad Heidi Rachels

Long before Heidi Rachels ever stepped foot into an Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) nursing classroom, her heart was set on caring for others. 

Her son was born with spina bifida, and for more than a decade, hospitals became their second home. During those long stays, Rachels met nurses whose skill and compassion not only cared for her son but also gave her the strength to keep going. 

“The nurses became our family,” she said. “They inspired me to want to become a nurse and make a difference in people’s lives the way they had in ours.” 

God was preparing her for a future in nursing — even if she didn’t know it yet. 

A Journey into Nursing 

As her son’s hospital visits grew fewer, her dream only grew stronger. In 2009, Rachels began taking prerequisite classes for OFTC’s Practical Nursing program. She was accepted and started her training at the college’s Jefferson County Center in Louisville. 

“OFTC was convenient for me,” she said. “The small campus and classes were nice because it allowed me one-on-one time with instructors if needed. The cost was also a plus — it was very affordable, and the staff was always willing to help in any way possible.” 

She graduated from the PN program, passed her boards, and began working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). For 12 years, she served patients in her community while keeping the thought of furthering her education in the back of her mind. 

A Path to RN 

Eventually, Rachels felt called to take the next step. She applied for OFTC’s competitive Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Bridge Program, an accelerated pathway for experienced LPNs and paramedics to become Registered Nurses. 

Her first application ended in rejection. So did the next four. 

“I took the TEAS test nine times over five years,” she recalled. “Every time I was denied, my heart broke a little — but I refused to give up.” 

In 2024, she decided to try one last time. “I told God I’d give it everything I had, and if it was meant to be, it would happen. If not, I would move on knowing I tried my best.” 

That persistence paid off — she was accepted into the Fall 2024 cohort. 

A Future in Nursing 

Rachels completed the program in July and today, she’s back at OFTC — not as a student, but as an instructor teaching high school dual enrollment students in the Nurse Aide program. 

“OFTC has exceeded all my expectations,” she said. “The encouragement and support I’ve received here have been incredible.” 

She now plans to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hopes to one day teach LPN students — inspiring the next generation the same way her son’s nurses once inspired her. 

To learn more about OFTC’s Nursing programs, visit the college’s website, OFTC.edu. 

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